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"I'll always do my best to keep every cowboy out there safe
from harm. If someone has to take a hit I'll do everything in my power to make sure it's me and not a bull rider. That's my
personal goal as a bullfighter, and I believe that needs to be the goal of every bullfighter" - David Ryan
While not at a rodeo David
enjoys his slow-paced life at home in Old Washington, OH. He enjoys hunting, fishing, horseback riding, spending time with
his girlfriend, and having fun with his friends. In his younger years he showed horses in 4-H and AQHA. His life is really
no different from that of most young men his age except for on the rodeo days. He says that although rodeo is a big part of
his life it is far from the only part. He is in college at Ohio University where he is majoring in Criminal Justice. He says
that if he must retire from bullfighting that he hopes to work for the Ohio Department of Corrections. He is also currently
considering a profession with the North Carolina State Patrol.
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With a job that provides such a high risk of injury it is
difficult for a bullfighter to find someone who will be with them through the pain and hardships.
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"Being able to risk your life to save the
lives of others is dreamed about by all, talked about by many, but only accomplished by few" - David Ryan
"I have always enjoyed watching rodeos, especially bullriding, and I always knew it was something I wanted to be a
part of. I began my rodeo career as a bullrider, but soon made the jump to bullfighting. With the help and advice of Brian
Conzett, another bullrider from my hometown, I made the decision to go Sankey Rodeo School, and I haven't looked back. I love
this sport, and I love being able to go out in the arena with an animal that is for the most part untamed and unpredictable.
Some call me an adrenaline junky while others say I'm insane. Despite what people say there is no feeling in the world that
compares to fighting bulls and there is nothing else I'd rather be doing." - David Ryan
Some of David's accomplishments:
1) Currently in pursuit of a Bachelors degree in Criminal
Justice from Ohio University.
2) National Honor Society
3) COPBRA Bull Rider Rookie Of The Year 2007
4) Sankey Rodeo School Top Student Award
5) Rocky Fork Bullfighter Of The Year
Quotes of others:
"If he's in the arena I already feel more comfortable getting on my bull. I know he will protect me to the best of his
ability. He's taken shots for me before and I know he'd do it again." - Zac Hixon
"I saw him fight with mono. Anyone who can dig down deep enough to find the strength to fight bulls when he can't breath
is one of the toughest people you'll ever meet." - Clayton Graham
"He took a hooking for me at the Sankey Rodeo School. We were actually rooming there together but we'd only met once before
the school. I remember to this day that I thought for sure that bull was going to be all over me, but he stepped in and he
took the beating instead. I know that's what he's there for, but this was his first time ever fighting bulls. That's what
impressed me the most." -Matthew Turner
"I remember a night when he was fighting at Grizzle Ridge with Kevin Williams. Kevin got his face stepped on by W-1 and
David threw his body on top of Kevin to keep him protected until the bull left the arena. He intended to take a beating before
he would let that bull get back to Kevin. After seeing that I've decided that I'm more than comfortable getting on any bull
as long as he's in the arena." - Logan Kohler
"He's one of the best I've seen. I help out with a junior rodeo near David's hometown and we were able to get him to come fight
a couple of our shows this last summer. I saw him step in and make saves that most bullfighters I've seen would back out on
and let the rider get hooked. David has a talent that should take him great places in this sport." - Rob Ball
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